Green Your Screen: 25 Eco-Chic Websites You'll Love

The Blogosphere is growing by leaps and bounds every second, and ‘green’ websites are on the rise. That’s great for those of us seeking ways to make our lives more environmentally conscious, but it can be a bit overwhelming. Here’s a cheat sheet to the coolest websites waving the eco-friendly flag! Whether you’re interested in fashion, gossip, animal rights, or technology, there is a green website waiting to entertain and inform you.

Keep reading to discover a greener Etsy (can you believe it?), feminist eco-blogs, and a guide to living off the grid!

Crafting…

I’m a massive Etsy fan, so imagine my joy at finding this new marketplace dedicated to “connecting independent and emerging artists with environmentally-conscious consumers.” Cosa Verde has searchable catagories like ‘reusable,’ ‘repurposed,’ ‘conflict-free’ and ‘organic,’ and they donate 10% of all fees to charity! Also for the craft-inclined, the super-informative, ultra-creative blog Crafting a Green World is a must-read. Learn how to make a coffee sack bulletin board, comic book gift tags, or throw pillows from old bed linens!

Informing…

If you’re a need-to-know kind of gal, TreeHugger.com is your one-stop site for all green news, events, and updates. If you like your news a bit more hipster-specific, check out WorldChanging.com or the trendy EarthFirst.com. But don’t let their cute aesthetic fool you – they are serious about the environment. Maybe your news comes primarily from Jon Stewart or The Onion. If so, Grist.org is for you! Time Magazine voted Grist #1 on their 2008 list of the Top 15 Green Websites, and it’s no wonder. Funny and quirky with room to comment, Grist is an easy way to add some green to your day.

Nerding…

Let’s face it, brainy is hot. And so is this cool green website devoted to all things geeky! EcoGeek.org was founded by Hank Green (that’s really his name!) in order to explore ways our brains can save the planet through technology. Calling all BTTF & Star Wars fans – this is the green site for you!

Rain Forest Protecting…

A beautiful and moving website, MongaBay.com “seeks to raise interest and appreciation of wild lands and wildlife,” and explore the impact we’re having on them. Remember when saving the rainforest was all the rage? Well, Monga Bay never forgot.

Transporting…

It might be difficult for some of us to abandon our cars, but we can make our driving habits greener. Check out Daily Fuel Economy Tip for ideas about making your journeys behind the wheel a little less expensive and a little more environmentally positive. In the market for a new car, or have questions on what the car industry is doing with that bail-out money? AutoBlogGreen has you covered. If you’re a biker or walker, green sites abound! Some of the coolest include WalkScore.com, a site that rates your community’s walk-ability. Free Ride is a Pittsburgh-based site committed to educating new and experienced bikers, and donating (that means free!) bikes to anyone who wants one. Don’t forget to become familiar with your public transportation websites! Most cities have user-friendly sites with maps and travel planners to help those of us who rock the bus! Or train, or subway…

Girl’s Night-ing…

Fed up with all those green websites targeting men? Well, EcoChick is there for you, ladies! Focusing on green issues specific to women, this stylish site delivers advice and eco-friendly wisdom in a sassy, playful way. It’s a true must-read. For the girl on the go who doesn’t have the time to read full articles and needs her feminist eco-information in bite-sized portions, IdealBite understands. Sign up, and they’ll send you short, witty eco-tips each weekday.

Styling…

Focusing on all things fashion, FeelGoodStyle and EcoSalon are two sites that feature green designers and eco-friendly wardrobe choices. From the environmentally-conscious runways to the most eco-friendly prom, these sites cover the hottest green trends.

Gossiping…

This one’s too good to be true. Ecorazzi brings you the “latest in green gossip!” Faux pas of the rich and famous have now gone green, and you can get all the dish. Truly amazing.

Nibbling…

Eating – we all do it, so why not do it as green as possible? Eat Drink Better helps us answer that question with tips, advice, and suggestions for making our meals as healthy for the earth as they are for our bodies. One of the best ways to green your diet is to support local farming by buying local produce, shopping at farmer’s markets, and eating at restaurants that source their food from local sources. Check out the Local Harvest website for organic food in your area! Another great way green your table is to forgo the meat. A vegetarian diet is better for the environment, and GoVeg.com can help get you started on the herbivore path.

Simple Life-ing…

If you’d like to simplify your life, Frugal for Life would like to help. Encouraging you to “use less, spend less, and waste less,” this website will help you reign in your hedonistic habits in these hard economic times. Taking this idea to the extreme and living way off the grid is No Impact Man. Colin Beavan, aka ‘No Impact Man,’ created this blog to document his experiment in total self-sustainability. He, his wife, and their toddler and dog live in the heart of NYC while causing little to no environmental impact. It’s inspiring stuff.

Working…

Maybe you’re not ready to quit your job and go totally off the grid. I know I’m not. But, you can make your cubicle the greenest in the office with help from TheGreenWorkplace.com! Be the talk of your water cooler by bringing your own refillable water bottle. You get the idea.

Trashing…

Your trash is another woman’s treasure, so why not give it to her? Freecycle.org can help hook you up with someone who just might need that old couch, ugly bookshelf, or pile of bricks in your front yard.

Those are my favorites, but if you’re still searching for the perfect green blog, check out BestGreenBlogs.com for a mind-boggling list. If you find one that you love, or if I missed a really good one, let me know!

10 Responses to Green Your Screen: 25 Eco-Chic Websites You'll Love

hank green is the brother of the greatest author ever, john green, and their webshow, brotherhood 2.0, is a must-see. fun fact: their fans are called nerdfighters and claim to be made of pure awesome. the awesomeness was channeled first by the fiveawesomegirls, the originators of the fiveawesometrend.

For the girls (and guys), check out Green is Sexy (http://www.greenissexy.org/today.php) Rachel McAdams is a contributor. They have tons of tips organized for the readers’ convenience. They also have a “things we â™¥,” section where they review films, products, books, and provide resources such as recipes- all green-related.

The reader might also want to consider that some of these websites that are recommended are predominantly product marketing oriented with activism akin to a thin peeling coat of green paint.

Treehugger .com is the most popular of these. They also are the one’s who most often prevent comment posting that educates readers about the truly perilous state of our planet’s ecosystems. I guess that discourages people from buying there products or something?

And the thick green depth of truth websites listed here, most popular being mongabay.com are the ones you can rely on to keep you informed without having them asking you to buy more crap that you don’t really need anyways…

Also if it’s tree related and it’s not an issue overly covered by mainstream media you can try out my blog… There are no ads to distract you at http://forestpolicyresearch.org , just lots of really good images that help tell the story of tree and forest from every country on the planet

YAY! HANK GREEN!!!
you may not know it but there is quite a following of the green brother on youtube…

modcloth nerdfighters unite!
DFTBA!

ooh, and freecycle is kickin’! we have a system like that at my college known as the freebox… you just drop off your stuff you’re looking to get rid of and/or check out if there’s any cool stuff you might like!